Folding camping shelter



July 21, 1959 E. J. M. B'RINCK 2 FOLDING CAMPING SHELTER Filed July 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR July 21, 1959 E. J. M. BRINCK FOLDING CAMPING SHELTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1955 1 NV EN TOR if)??? J11. 3,1720% BY/ rnv/rnkwr ORNEYS Patented July 21, 1959 FOLDING CAMPING SHELTER Erik Johan Marten Brinck, Skonstavik, Enskede, Sweden Application July 25, 1955, Serial No. 524,175

1 Claim. (Cl. 189-2) This invention relates to a folding camping shelter constituted mainly of relatively light weight plates, and is concerned with the provision of a generally improved article of this nature which is durable in use and of relatively simple construction.

Broadly, in accordance with the invention a folding camping shelter comprised mainly of relatively light weight plates, is characterised in that a series of said plates are connected in hinged relationship so as to be relatively foldable between an erected position and a collapsed position in which latter the plates form a compact stack, and wherein a substantially rectangular frame, hinged to one or more plates of the series, is adapted to encompass the plate edges in the stacked position to pro vide a fiat readily transportable composite box like structure which is closed by the outermost plate or plates in the stack. Means are also provided in connection with said structure which is adapted to be detachably connected to corresponding guide means fixedly disposed on the roof of a car so that the shelter in its collapsed condition in said box-like structure may be pivoted to a substantially horizontal position and stowed on said roof.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into eifect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment, taken along the line II of Fig. 2; the camping shelter being represented in extended position behind a sedan type car, on the roof of which it is normally carried in collapsed condition.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, showing the camping shelter partly in horizontal section along the line IIII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the same embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows on a larger scale the camping shelter in folded condition, the view being a vertical section along the line IVIV of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken along the line VV in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is an end view of a third embodiment of the invention.

The first embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs. 1-5 is intended to be transported on the roof 2 of a sedan type car 1. The camping shelter comprises a rectangular box frame 3 having an upwardly facing cover plate 4. The frame 3 can be placed between two parallel guides 5 extending in the longitudinal direction of the car roof and fixedly secured to the latter. These guides are interconnected by transverse bars 6, the ends 7 of which are fitted over the two gutters 8 of the roof. Each guide 5 is provided with two or more longitudinally slidable telescopic guides 9 and 10 respectively, each of which is provided with abutments 11 and 12 respectively to limit their relative movements when being drawn out. One of the guides 10 is relatively short, and is rigidly interconnected to the other guide 10 by a transversely extending rod 13 forming a slide frame, to which the frame 3 is hooked by means of two hooks or pins 14 secured to the inner, transverse edge of said frame when the latter lies on the roof. In Figs. 1 and 2 said frame 3 is drawn entirely out from the roof 2 and placed vertically on the ground 15 behind the car 1 while still secured to the rod 13 of the guide elements 10 by means of the hooks 14. Obviously the frame may be unhooked to allow free use of the car.

The frame 3 consists of a bottom plate 16 with rather narrow edge flanges 17, and accommodates the folded plates of the collapsed camping shelter. It is closed by means of a cover plate 4. The cover and plates are made of light metal, approximately 2 mm. thick, and are reinforced by vertical corrugations 18, which are provided uniformly in the parts so as to engage with each other when the shelter is collapsed.

Figs. 1-3 show diagrammatically the erection of the camping shelter. The bottom plate 16 of the frame 3 forms the inner or front end wall. The cover plate 4, which is hinged to the lower part of one of the edge flanges 17 by hinges, is swung down to form the floor. A second plate 19 (Figs. 4 and 5), which is hinged to the upper part of one of the edge flanges 17, is swung upwardly into horizontal position to form the roof. A third plate 20 (Figs. 4 and 5), hinged to the transverse outer edge of the roof plate 19, is swung down into vertical position and. thus forms the outer or rearmost end wall of the shelter. Furthermore, a fourth plate 21 (Figs. 4 and 5), hinged to one side edge of the floor plate 4, can be swung up to vertical position to form the middle and lower portion of one side wall. The opening left at the top is covered by means of a narrower fifth plate 22 (Figs. 4 and 5), which is hinged to one side edge of the roof plate and is preferably made of transparent ma terial. Finally, a sixth plate 23, which is hinged to one vertical edge flange 17 of the frame, can be swung out perpendicularly to the end wall 16 to form a part of the other side wall. Between the plate 23 and the outermost or rearmost end wall 20 is left an aperture 24, which serves as entrance and can be closed by sliding door 25 or curtains. The plate edges may be provided with packings of fabric or sponge rubber strips or the like to make the shelter tight when unfolded.

The depth of the frame 3 is so dimensioned that a space is left between its base 16 and the folded-in plates, affording accommodation for necessary equipment such as folding table, folding seats, folding beds, folding shelves, bed clothes and other accessories. Two folding beds 26 and 27 and a folding table 28 are indicated by dash lines in Fig. 3. The camping shelter is especially intended for tourists, hunters, fishermen, foresters, doctors, engineers, commercial travellers, militarists and the like.

Of course the frame as well as the plates may be made of some other light material, for instance fibres, synthetic material such as synthetic resin, or even of fabric which is kept extended by a frame-work.

The fixed guides 5 each has in its outer end an opening, in which the two so-called telescopic guides 9 and 10 are inserted. Guides 10 run in slots formed in guides 9. The telescopic guides 9, 10 have abutments 11 and 12, respectively, in order to limit them from being drawn out of the slots in which they run. The two outermost guides 10 run in slots in guides 9. The outermost guides 10 are rigidly interconnected by a transversely extending rod 13, to which the frame 3 is hooked by means of two hooks 14, which are secured to the inner transverse edge of said frame, when the latter lies on the roof. In Figs. 1 and 2 said frame is drawn entirely out from the roof and placed vertically on the ground 15 behind the car 1, while still secured to the rod 13 of the guide elements by means of the hooks 14. From this it follows, that the parallel and telescopic projectable guides 10 fulfill the purpose, that the camping shelter can be put up in connection with the car, then with the guides protruding, or the shelter can be placed somewhere else, and the telescopic guides 9 and 10 can easily be retracted into the fixed guides 5.

When the camping shelter is transported in folded condition on a vehicle roof, preferably it should be provided with a fabric cover or the like as indicated by lines 29 in Fig. 1. The longitudinal edges of this cover are secured to the gutters 8 by means of clamp irons.

Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically a second embodiment of the invention, according to which the camping shelter is closed by a pair of plates 30 and 31 hinged to an edge flange, of a rectangular frame 32. It will be appreciated that as many plates may be utilized as in the last constructional form which plates can be unfolded on either side of the rectangular frame 32, the length of the camping shelter being thus doubled.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic end view of a third embodiment of the camping shelter as placed in folded condition on the roof of a trailer 33. Its frame 34 is provided with rollers 35 along its transverse edges. The rollers are guided by transversely extending runways 36 which are secured to the roof, so that the frame 34 can be drawn out from the roof of the trailer 33 at one longitudinal side thereof.

Obviously, the invention is not confined to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings but may be modified in several ways.

I claim:

In combination, a folding camping shelter intended for transport on the top of a vehicle and means for carrying said shelter on said vehicle when folded, comprising a pair of parallel guide members mountable on the vehicle top; a rigid slide frame comprised of telescopic guide members mounted to slide along said parallel guide members, respectively, and a transversely extending rod rigidly interconnecting said telescopic guide members; said shelter being comprised of relatively light weight plates some of which are hingedly connected together in series relationship; a rectangular box frame, some of said plates of said series being hinged to said box frame so that said plates are foldable within said box frame for transport on the vehicle top and are foldable out of said box frame to constitute the walls, roof, and floor of the shelter when erected on the ground, said box frame being hingedly hooked at one of its ends to said slide frame so as to be swingable downward into vertically extending position and said box frame having a width enabling it to be swung upwardly into horizontal position between said telescopic guides and to he slid with said slide frame onto the vehicle top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 541,059 Adicks June 18, 1895 2,533,683 Neuhaus Dec. 12, 1950 2,561,168 Beckley July 17, 1951 2,572,461 Fierle Oct. 23, 1951 2,604,671 Sherman et al July 29, 1952 2,642,587 Taylor June 23, 1953 OTHER REFERENCES Publication of Palace Corporation, Hemphill Road, Flint, Mich., May 29, 1944, The Suitcase Temporary HOUSE. 

